D.C. murder conviction in argument over a cigarette
On April 14, 2007, two women in a car returning from a birthday party to an apartment in Southeast D.C. began bickering over a cigarette, in an argument prosecutors later said was "petty and fueled by alcohol."
The argument escalated to fighting outside the apartment, prosecutors said, and drew in several men, including 21-year-old Leonard Branham of Birmingham, Ala.. Branham was in town visiting friends and tried to break up the fight, prosecutors said.
Feeling insulted, one of the women asked for more backup, drawing in 22-year old Kevin Anthony Brown of La Plata who showed a gun and then shot Branham in the back as Branham tried to run, according to a press statement from the U.S. Attorney for the District, Ronald C. Machen Jr..
On Thursday, a D.C. Superior Court jury convicted Brown of second degree murder while armed and associated firearms offenses, court records show. Sentencing is scheduled for August.
-- Mary Pat Flaherty
.
By
Mary Pat Flaherty
|
May 24, 2010; 1:35 PM ET
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Posted by: PublicEnemy1 | May 24, 2010 2:01 PM | Report abuse
Good thing the District's strict gun laws kept a gun out of Kevin Anthony Brown's hands.
Posted by: MConnor77 | May 24, 2010 2:42 PM | Report abuse
Cigarettes will kill you, one way or another.
Posted by: matt_s | May 24, 2010 3:17 PM | Report abuse
For those of you who thought last week's article on the young man shot to death over refusing to give a man's girlfriend a ride was the most absurd thing you've ever heard we now have another contender...
To go with the 17 year old who shot a utility worker over not liking the way someone made eye contact with the suspect...
All 3 are really strong candidates for "Dumbest Thing To Go To Jail Over"...its like a contest of " one upsmanship" for idiots!
Posted by: BigDaddy651 | May 24, 2010 3:30 PM | Report abuse
The one who called for so call back needs to go to jail to, fighting over some cigarettes!! I hate when I am walking down the street and some deadbeat stop and ask me for one, I don't even smoke but if I did heck no, if you can't afford them then stop smoking. Sad that is Southern flow has ended so soon, welcome to the city full of senseless crimes...
Posted by: shadon1 | May 24, 2010 3:42 PM | Report abuse
This will be a good case to follow when sentencing comes up. The shooter clearly was in fear for his life as the victim was running away from the shooter. The shooter just wanted to scare the victim so he brings a gun across the D.C. line having time to think about what he was going to do. I be the shooter gets at the most 10-15 years for acting in fear for his life.
Posted by: doughboy96 | May 24, 2010 3:44 PM | Report abuse
This sounds like a Dave Chappelle skit: "When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong".
Posted by: MBUSA | May 24, 2010 4:17 PM | Report abuse
Why isn't the conviction for first-degree murder? Punishment should be life in prison with no parole and no ciggi-butts!
Posted by: DecafDrinker | May 24, 2010 8:58 PM | Report abuse
Moral of the story is, let 'em fight. Matter of fact, let 'em fight and step off. No points for being the peacemaker. Oh, and women will get you killed.
Posted by: gbooksdc | May 24, 2010 9:14 PM | Report abuse
BigDaddy651 wrote: "For those of you who thought last week's article on the young man shot to death over refusing to give a man's girlfriend a ride was the most absurd thing you've ever heard we now have another contender...
To go with the 17 year old who shot a utility worker over not liking the way someone made eye contact with the suspect..."
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This just typifies what a violent and vicious culture it is.
Posted by: jabreal00 | May 24, 2010 10:11 PM | Report abuse
When "keeping it real" goes wrong...
Posted by: 20yrskinfan | May 24, 2010 10:49 PM | Report abuse
The comments to this entry are closed.
Some people I think love the fact they will spend the rest of their life in jail for something as stupid as this.